Crocus

September 18, 2024 Post a Comment

Crocus

Crocus are among the very first flowers to bloom each spring. In cold climates, their cheery blossoms will often open when there's still snow on the ground. Crocus flowers come in Easter-egg colors of purple, yellow, lavender, cream and white.

Do crocus come back every year?

Crocus plants will multiply and come back year after year, bringing more blooms with them each time.

What month do crocuses bloom?

Flowers will appear the first fall after planting (generally in September or October) and last for about 3 weeks. The grass-like leaves may emerge soon after the flowers or wait until the following spring.

Do crocuses spread?

About Crocuses Crocus bulbs (technically called “corms”) not only provide winter garden color, but they naturalize, meaning that they spread and come back year after year—with minimum care—for an ever-larger display.

Are crocus toxic to humans?

It is poisonous, and can cause burning of the mouth and throat, vomiting, diarrhea, liver and kidney problems, blood disorders, nerve problems, shock, organ failure, and death. There have been reports of poisoning when autumn crocus was mistaken for onions, wild garlic, or wild leeks and eaten.

Do crocus only bloom once?

Crocuses will start blooming any time between late winter and early spring, often with no warning — one day, no growth, the next day blooms! Each bulb produces several blooms.

Do squirrels eat crocus bulbs?

Those bushy-tailed rodents that some find cute, but gardeners find contrary, love to munch on crocus bulbs. The most common crocuses, various hybrids of Crocus vernus, are especially toothsome to squirrels.

Can you leave crocus bulbs in the ground?

In most gardens, crocus bulbs can be left in the ground during dormancy. It's a case of planting them once and enjoying the blooms for years to come.

How many crocus bulbs should I plant together?

Pick out a large sunny area in the garden, lawn, or a wild area (rocky spots are great). Plant large drifts using groupings of 20-30 bulbs spaced about 3-4" apart. Crocus are ideal for this kind of naturalizing, especially Breck's Giant Crocus bulbs for naturalizing.

Do you have to dig up crocus bulbs every year?

Every 3-4 years, dig up the Crocus corms in the fall after the foliage has died back and yellowed. Divide them, keeping only healthy bulbs and replant. Apply a natural bulb fertilizer in the fall and enjoy your cheerfully blooming crocuses for years to come.

Should you deadhead crocus?

deadheading. You don't need to deadhead your crocuses as the flowers will fade naturally. They do look dainty and pretty in small vases, so you can pick them for a short indoor display. Leave all foliage in place until it has completely died back.

Are crocus poisonous to dogs?

The spring crocus is part of the Iridaceae family, and like its autumn relative, can still be severely toxic for pets. Symptoms include diarrhoea, perhaps with blood, drooling and vomiting. Extreme cases can cause numerous problems including seizures and organ damage, or even death.

Do deer eat crocus?

Crocus are among the first bulbs to bloom, welcoming spring with a wonderful burst of color. They are deer and rabbit resistant, and when planted in large drifts they provide a stunning, early-spring display. These beauties should be used in every garden and grass lawn. Learn more about Planting Crocus.

What to do with crocuses when they finish flowering?

Remove faded flowers leaving the leaves intact. Move the plant to a warm sunny window. Water thoroughly and allow the soil to dry slightly before watering again. Fertilize with a dilute solution of any houseplant fertilizer.

Can you put mulch over crocus bulbs?

Mulch helps to protect the bulbs from arctic temperature spikes over the winter. Good mulching mediums include straw, salt marsh hay or oak leaves. In the spring, you can loosen the mulch in the area in which the Crocus will be sprouting. (Mulching lawn installations is not necessary or recommended.)

What drug comes from crocuses?

Colchicine is one of the oldest remedies still in use today. It is derived from the bulb-like corms of the Colchicum autumnale plant, also known as autumn crocus.

What happens if you eat crocus?

The common garden plant autumn crocus contains colchicine and its derivatives. Colchicine poisoning causes abdominal cramps and diarrhea within hours. Several days later, multiorgan failure, pancytopenia, and cardiovascular collapse occur. 1, 2 Severe colchicine poisoning is associated with high mortality.

What is the most toxic plant to humans?

The oleander, also known as laurel of flower or trinitaria, is a shrub plant (of Mediterranean origin and therefore, resistant to droughts) with intensely green leaves and whose leaves, flowers, stems, branches and seeds are all highly poisonous, hence it is also known as "the most poisonous plant in the world".

When should I cut back my crocus?

Cut back old stems by half during October, but in cold gardens leave foliage to provide winter protection. Then cut back to within 15cm of ground level in March.